Abstract
Objective: To examine the level of perceived body weight gain which is considered risky for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and to investigate its determinants for understanding the participants who have high consciousness on weight gain.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional design. Adults living in Tokyo (400 males, 400 females) completed an online self-reported questionnaire in May 2014. We then recorded participant demographics, the level of perceived body weight gain in a year which was considered risky for NCDs. We also checked their body weight control behaviors. After that, we divided them into 3 groups: low; 0 kg-4.9 kg, middle; 5.0 kg-5.4 kg, and high; over 5.5 kg based on their perceived risky body weight gain. For data analysis, we used a chi-square test, logistic-regression, and multivariate analysis.
Results: Out of 800 participants, 291 responded that a body weight gain of ≥5 kg in 1 year would raise NCD morbidity. The low, middle, and high groups comprised 231 (28.9%), 295 (36.9%), and 274 (34.3%), respectively. Furthermore, 91 (78.4%) men in the “low” group had a university or a postgraduate degree, which was higher than that in the other two groups (p<0.002). In the “low” group, 45 (39.1%) and 61(53.0%) women were in their 50s and were married; these proportions were higher than those in the other two groups.
Conclusion: About 40% of adult men and women perceived that a body weight gain of ≥5 kg in 1 year would raise NCD morbidity. Among participants in the “low” group, the educational level was high in men, and age and rate of being married were high in women.
